Chinese industrial robots market to become global leader

The Chinese industrial robots market has been forecast to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.44% through 2016, driven by the need for increased productivity in the manufacturing process, and the emergence of next-generation industrial robots.

China has emerged as economic powerhouse in the past 20 years on the strength of its manufacturing capabilities and now the country is making the transition from a manufacturing-driven to an innovation-driven economy.

It has grown to be one of the leading countries in the robotics market and it is expected that its combined strength in hardware and software, would help the Chinese robotics industry move ahead.

Amid talks of China's economic restructuring and massive market potential, many international robot enterprises believe the country will become the biggest user of industrial robots in the near future.

China is now looking to gradually change from its labour-intensive style to a more sustainable and innovative development with respect to manufacturing and industrial transformation. This involves an increased use of robots to reduce cost and increase efficiency and competitiveness.

Forecasts indicate that given the aging population, China will have 40 million fewer workers in the 20-30 age bracket compared to 10 years ago, and this gap will be filled by robots.

In 2011, China owned 2000 industrial robots. The number increased to 3200 in 2012. So far the number of industrial robots in China is only one fifth of the number in Japan, and one third of the figure in the US and South Korea. More importantly, domestic brands take up less than 10% of the market share.

China manufactured robots valued at less than 600 million yuan ($97 million) in 2011, but this figure jumped by 67% in 2012 to exceed 1 billion yuan. More than half of robots are used in the auto industry and 20% are utilised in energy and electronics.

China draws its economic and strategic direction from its Five Year Plan that outlines the aspects of development in all areas of society. In the 12th five year plan that China started in 2011, an important area marked for development was the service robot.

Given this specific top level direction and thrust, it is expected that we could see many new Chinese robotics companies emerging in the short term and widespread use of robots, so that the action on the ground matches the growth targets set out in the plan.